Anthony J. Russell, MPH

Senior Scientist

Anthony J. Russell, MPH Senior Scientist

Mr. Anthony Russell is a Health Scientist with 4 years of experience in the field of epidemiology and 3 years as a chemical engineer. His research and academic training are focused on epidemiology, biostatistics, organic chemistry, engineering methods, risk assessment, and exposure assessment. He served in the U.S. Peace Corps in Lesotho, Africa, where he researched human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) mitigation and prevention as well as mathematics education. His research focused on food insecurity and its effect on chronic illnesses among a rural population of refugees in Ghana and assisted local nongovernmental organizations in identifying culturally appropriate ways to deliver food baskets to refugee populations. He also worked with the Connecticut State Department of Public Health as a COVID-19 Contact Tracing Team Lead. Mr. Russell’s current research includes the systematic review of chemical exposures and associations with chronic disease outcomes including, but not limited to, various cancers as well as the exploration and development of biologically based dose response models and physiologically based pharmacokinetic models. Throughout his graduate coursework and professional career, he has developed skills in statistical methods and modeling as well as assessing the public health impact of infectious and chronic illnesses.

Anthony J. Russell, MPH

Senior Scientist

Data Analysis

Short Term Exposure Limits (STELs) and Their Correlation to Chemical RD₅₀s, Cincinnati, Ohio Performed a literature review and historical overview of the history of the development of the RD₅₀. Analyses also included the development of a predictive model based on the correlation between STELs and RD₅₀s using least squares linear regression performed in R software. This model was used in a publication outlining its predictive capabilities for data poor and commonly used industrial chemicals.

Human Health Risk Assessment

Epidemiology of Occupational Exposure to Industrial Chemicals, Cincinnati, Ohio Performed and assisted with systematic reviews of occupational exposure to various chemicals (including benzene, glyphosate, ethylene oxide, and formaldehyde) and associated risk of carcinogenic outcomes (including leukemias, lung cancer, and stomach cancer). Analyses included the generation of forest plots using R software and synthesizing findings from longitudinal cohort studies to summarize the risk of occupational exposure.

Assessment of Exposure to Ethylene Oxide and Associations with Cancer, Cincinnati, Ohio Conducted a critical systematic review of the epidemiological literature on industrial cohorts with known exposure to ethylene oxide. Initial research included a comprehensive literature review, followed by a quality assessment across key study domains, including exposure measurement, statistical modeling, reproducibility, and participant selection. Study findings demonstrated no clear or consistent association between exposure to ethylene oxide and any site-specific cancer. Specific cancers assessed included stomach cancer, breast cancer, and leukemia.

Triangulation of the Epidemiological Evidence of Formaldehyde and Myeloid Leukemias, Cincinnati, Ohio Conducted a critical review of the epidemiological literature on population-based and occupational cohorts with known exposure to formaldehyde. The result of the review was the development of a novel framework for triangulating potential sources of bias within and between studies. The potential for the epidemiological evidence to support any causal association between formaldehyde and myeloid leukemias was also explored.

Risk Communication

COVID-19 Contact Tracing, New Haven, Connecticut Assisted the COVID-19 pandemic response effort through recruitment, onboarding, and training of state level contact tracers. Established the structure and design of the contact tracing response to include a contact tracing coordinator, five contact tracing mentors, and a training system partnering new tracers with experienced contact tracers. Upon implementation of this program design, the contact tracing team successfully hit target metrics of attempting 190 calls per week with a rate of 90 percent for cases or contacts.

Study of Dietary Patterns of African Refugees, New Haven, Connecticut Designed a cross-sectional mixed methods study conducted in two phases. Phase 1 consisted of in-depth interviews with refugees to identify factors influencing their management of chronic illnesses and food insecurity. Phase 2 included surveys assessing food insecurity, coping mechanisms, dietary intake, and chronic illnesses designed to analyze dietary patterns of African refugees over a 6-month timeframe. Findings supported the distribution of food baskets in a culturally appropriate and meaningful manner and identified modifications to ensure food baskets help refugees manage their chronic illness while also combating food insecurity. A qualitative conceptual model detailing causes and contributing factors of refugee food insecurity was developed and refined. Other responsibilities included the management of the research team to successfully meet deadlines and fulfill research requirements.

Development Officer, U.S. Peace Corps, Mafeteng, Lesotho Educated local village high school level students in mathematics and life skills, including trigonometry, geometry, algebra, and HIV mitigation and prevention. Created and formatted lesson plans for 12 local teachers, optimizing performance and improving overall test scores from previous year. Wrote and managed several grants including a U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) grant for an income-generating project that successfully brought 200 layer chickens to the village, and tuition scholarships for at-risk children to attend and purchase supplies for school. Collaborated on HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) training outlining risks, symptoms, and mitigation strategies including sexual education. Founded the Health and Youth Running Club for students to engage in after school where they were taught the importance of an active lifestyle and diverse diet to support and maintain a healthy immune system. Managed the Peace Corps fitness group providing daily workouts and mental health exercises.

Engineering

Silicone Technical Sales Engineer, Akron, Ohio Coordinated with customers and laboratory chemists to offer unique solutions and products to better suit the needs of more than 20 clients. Managed client accounts to successfully increase product sales and production and contributed to new product development working on a multidisciplinary team of engineers, sales managers, and chemists.

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